Koch: Palin 'Scares the Hell Out of Me'

By Keith B. Richburg
NEW YORK -- This city's infamously independent-minded former mayor, Edward I. Koch, today said he was supporting Barack Obama for president and would be out campaigning for the Democratic ticket, most likely in key swing states.

Koch said that while both Obama and McCain understand the need to support Israel and oppose Islamic terrorism, he concluded, "the country is safer in the hands of Barack Obama." Koch, in a statement, said protecting the United States also means "defending the public with respect to their civil rights, civil liberties and other needs," including gay rights and abortion rights.

In a telephone interview, Koch made clear that one reason for his support for his Obama was the addition of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to the Republican ticket. "She scares the hell out of me," Koch said. "She wanted to censor books at the local library" in Wasilla, Alaska, where she was mayor, Koch said. Palin asked the librarian who refused the censorship request to resign but later relented and the librarian kept her job.

Koch said he didn't believe McCain knew Palin very well when he selected her, and he debunked the idea that followers of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) might switch their allegiance to McCain with Palin on the ticket. "There won't be any Hillary voters supporting her. She will energize the Evangelicals," he said.

Koch supported President Bush's reelection over Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass) in 2004, saying he believed Bush was better for foreign policy in general and Israel specifically -- a decision he still defended today. Although he was a three-term Democratic mayor of New York, from 1977 to 1989, Koch has frequently crossed party lines to endorse Republicans, including former mayor Rudy Giuliani, Mayor Michael Bloomberg (who switched to become an Independent), and former Gov. George Pataki.

Four years ago, Koch campaigned for Bush's reelection in a half dozen states, including key swing states Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan.

Koch said he is ready to do the same for Obama this year. "They asked me to, and I told them I would," Koch said. "I'll do whatever they want me to do."

Koch's support could boost Obama with Jewish voters particularly in Florida, where polls show a close contest. Koch today predicted Obama "will get the Jewish community's vote overwhelmingly."

Koch is scared of Sarah Palin, I'm scared of Joseph Biden. According to Israeli army radio Biden said that "Israel will have to reconcile itself with the nuclearization of Iran" because the U.S. doesn't want to get involved. According to other reports Biden held a fund raiser in the California home of a pro-Iranian lobbyist and said that "Iran always wanted to be an ally of the United States and to have good relations with the U.S. A.. Sarah Palin on the other hand has said that Iran must not get the bomb and that we should not interfere if Israel decides to destroy Iran's nuclear bomb factories. The only people who need fear Sarah Palin are the Mullahs running Iran.

Adam is right. McCain is no war hero. War screw-up, or party boy Admiral's son, is more like it. Being a war hero requires actually doing something heroic. Sorry, but disobeying orders, flying too low, getting shot down, cracking under enhanced interrogation, and making anti-American propaganda for the Viet Cong doesn't count. Neither does developing a case of Stockholm syndrome. And, before he got himself shot down, there was his little prank of wet-starting his jet on the USS Forrestal's flight deck safety in violation of Navy regulations, which led to over 150 deaths.

I wouldn't even hire Sarah Palin as a live-in maid, specially were she to bring:
1. Five kids, one in need of special care and attention.
2. One a pregnant teen-age
3. The baby due to be born in a few weeks.
4. The teen-age, high-school father of the baby.
5. The "First-Dude" husband.
She just couldn't do the job.
-Now, for the White House, ask yourselves if she could do the job of high office which requires excellence in honesty, good judgment, education, valid experience, preparation, and availability. She has no world culture nor unbiased religious insight. She THINKS that she knows, and that's her greatest ignorance. Wishful Thinking is no substitute for real capability.
-But if she really knows which are God's tasks and which are not, then she should be running for Even Higher Office.

I wasn't aware that Gov. Palin, with her many, many faults, was killing babies. Well as a democrat let me state without reservation, that I oppose Gov. Palin's plan to kill babies!! Teenagers on the other hand.....I'll get back to you on that.

I am glad to see that the facts about this empty- headed, phony, governor of a very small state are revealed to our fellow citizens. She does not know where most countries of the world are located. She had changed 6 community colleges in 5 years before graduating. Palin is a religious extremist /fundamentalist and a very dangerous person for our multicultural country.

We are hillary supporters too. We are voting McCain and Palin. Just because Obama is a radical. His association with anti-socials and racists. His wife is a racist and we cannot trust them to keep us safe in this part of world agains Fundamental Islamic Terrorists.

It's OK to call it a flip-flop if they change theirs minds. I personally don't mind an occasional flip-flop. It shows that the candidate is open to reassessing a situation.

It is a lie, and should be called a lie, when the candidate completely disowns a previous statement or policy as though it didn't exist. Sarah Palin has repeatedly done this in the face of overwhelming audio and visual evidence to the contrary. She has lied over and over and over, ad nauseum, saying she did not support the bridge when in fact she had and only changed her mind when it became politically expedient.

MS. Palin is a liar and should be called out as one. "Respect and deference" my a*#.

I AM A HILLARY SUPPORTER; I AM NOT STUPID TO VOTE FOR PALIN AND MCCAIN. I HEARD HER SPEAK AND I AM NOT MOVED, IT IS ALL PHONY WHEN SHE SPEAKS. THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HER HEART; SHE IS JUST A MERE PUPPET IN THE HANDS OF MCCAIN! COULD ANY WOMAN BELIEVE THAT SHE REPRESENTS US! THAT'S AN INSULT IF ANY WOMAN BELIEVES THAT! I AM WHITE AND MY VOTE GOES TO OBAMA AND BIDEN; THIS ELECETION IS NOT ABOUT MEN VS WOMEN IT IS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF ALL AMERICANS. WISE UP LADIES! OBAMA AND BIDEN AND HILLARY ARE DEMOCRATS AND THOUGH I AM REPUBLICAN BUT VOTE GOES TO THE DEMOCRATS! VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN/HILLARY/DEMOCRAT 08

Scary is the Reb party motto- stagnant status quo. Rebs used to have sharp piercing vision.. but they stopped growing now.

A status quo is the form of a fresher younger nominee is still the status quo. The Reb VP nominee speech has been something along the lines of the “ The Emperor has no clot… “.

This has got to be the worst and scariest line every spoken in a history of a speech, Reb or Dem: My fellow citizens, the American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of 'personal discovery'": !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This line sort of symbolizes exactly the Reb party's visionless motto. It in fact symbolizes most nations’s stagnant views—the reason why people in the world just cannot expand beyond their "little frog well" to see the unity in all- and get into all sorts of nation/religion fights, et all.

Someone who doesn't believe in personal discovery in all phases of their life is just a product of their culture... pure and simple... and cannot expand beyond. And that's truly scary.

I should hope that Bush and their team have grown internally, expanded and been flexible as they handled the immense new challenges of the recent years. If you see the letters and journals of the Founding Fathers during their term, they were ever-growing, discovering within themselves new methods and ways.. a lot of soul-searching to make tough tough decisions that may affect not just this generation but even the history of mankind.

If the Dem are about personal discovery, growth and new vision for a better unity and world- then that speech is the best line ever to move away from the Reb now. After all, tomorrow is another day.

Koch is misinformed. In 1996, Palin called for the resignation of all of the top managers who had just supported her opponent for mayor. She was making sure that they knew that they owed loyalty to her. This is good management practice!

She did ask the librarian if she would be open to removing books from the shelves. The librarian said no and that was the end of the matter.

Later as Governor, she did not try to impose her beliefs upon the Alaska educational system.

If anything, the events described by Koch were a learning experience for Palin on the limits of executive power, not a reason to oppose her.

As far as Jews are concerned there is a very strong reason to oppose her. She is strongly pro-Israel!

I's called women power and as onewomen carrying a vote Sahra poster said, move over men, it's our turn now. I think not. All you will gain is a Bush and Margert Thatcher team. Be careful what you wish for ladies.

More drilling won't do a thing to lower energy prices, stop being stupid sheep. There is a surplus of oil,thousands of rigs shut down in the Gulf of Mexico that I've seen with my own eyes. We lack the refining capacity to process more oil, furthermore,the oil companies don't want to refine it any faster, it'll lower prices ! The only hope for the future is in new technology to get away from dependence on any oil,foreign or domestic. Stop being so simple, don't let the Repugs fool you. Obama will invest in new technology to find a real solution,not just the illusion of one. More drilling now won't have any impact for a good ten years anyway...by then hopefully we'll have new, renewable energy sources and motors that can use them. Wake up , whenever the Repugs have no answers they trot out the old standbys, abortion,religion,war etc. Things that we'll never agree on and at the end of the day really don't mean squat !

Barack sounds angry. With all the millions he's raised, and all commercials he's run during the Olympics - middle America still distrusts him. Does anyone else wonder how a man with so little experience and conviction be so close to sitting in the oval office? Is there a "vast left-wing" conspiracy - look at the headlines - so many negative stories about Palin, so few about Barack. Stephanopolous asked Barack if the response "above my pay-grade was too flip". That's not a hard-hitting question, it's a lob. There's been no vetting of Obama - he's an unknown.

Paint it pink Paris! Team Obama needs to get some momentum going at htp://www.bop-o-rama.com. I love the Pink White House! Hillary make a pretty good disappearing act. But the real question is, can Tem Obama get the word out and push McCain over 1,000,000?

Quite frankly the much derided Paris Hilton (that is of course in Old Republican circles)offered far more substantial policy ideas than feather weight Palin has ever done since their convention "reading from the script" session. I dare say many many women picked off the streets at random could have put in a similar or much better pop star perfomance on the convention floor than Palin. We are still all waiting with bated breath for Palin policy statements. No doubt she is busy memorising thsee at some Republican hide out!.I think the Republicn/Bush -minded strategists would have done better to hire a B roll actress who would have put in a more impressive performance during their convention. After all it seems that all they ever wanted was someone eye-catching to read from a script.

Does anyone know Gov. Palin's views on diversity or minority issues (other than women's issues). I haven't seen any people of color speaking on her behalf. No speech writers, personal friends, support staff, neighbors, former classmates...nothing! She doesn't seem to surround herself with, or know any people of color. There have been no Asians, Hispanics, Latin Americans, African-Americans, Indians, or any other type of Americans, races, ethnicities, or minorities that have defended/celebrated her, or spoken on her behalf.

It would be refreshing to hear her views on the ISSUES, specifically those that matter to the vast majority of All-Americans not just the one's who look like her.

John McCain is a sell-out and exposed he is just a typical Republican politician by picking Palin. He picked her to appease his base and poach Hillary votes. While maybe being a fine public servant, she wasn’t the best or most qualified, it’s because he knew she would be popular. How is that being a "maverick"? How is this ‘Country First”? How is this “I rather win a war than loose an election”? I’ll say it again John McCain is a sell-out.

The most important metric for picking a VP is they are ready to step in from day one. His judgment is reckless and he gambled at our expense. The mere fact Palin is being taught foreign policy is fact she wasn’t prepared on day one.

I lost all my respect for John McCain. He's not the hero today he was 35 years ago. McCain is nothing without Palin.

What does it say about a campaign that has to "mimic" what and who Obama is, not to mention hijack Obamas core message of Change from day one just to poach votes? Is that all they view Obama as, a "product" a "formula", a “personality”? It makes McCain look weak and more importantly, the American people stupid if they fall for it.

Now all these puppets are willing to just get behind her without even knowing anything about her and try to convince the American public she is prepared to be VP or President while they gave Obama hell for 20 months straight? Not even uncertain objectiveness, caution, pause or question just because she has an "R" in front of her name? How can anyone make a clear determination reasonably in less than 60 days?

Bravo America! We look like complete idiots once again while the world watches. I am truly embarrassed of my country. I guess all isn’t lost, at least many will have Palin’s eye glass frames while our country crumbles economically. We are such tools.

So, do you recall the scene in The Godfather when Clemenza asks Tessio, "What's with all the new faces?" and Abe responds, "we're gonna need all we can get, Sonny just hit Bruno Tattaglia"...well, Obama's gonna need all the money he can raise, Joe Biden's at it again- today fresh from his false drunk driver claim, he tried to tell family's with disabled children that McCain was against stem cell research- I guess he had Palin on his mind, everyone else in this country does- she's against embryonic stem cell research- McCain isn't. His position for embryonic stem cell research is one real distinction between McCain and Bush and is one reason the far Right was lukewarm on his candidacy.....Come on Joe, keep it up- we want at least 4 more gaffes before the debate! MCain is nearly tied with Obama with women voters and leads with white women voters as of today, but Joe can really put us over the top when we pull out the Anita Hill hearings....remember? Call Clemenza!

I dislike false rumors as much as anyone, but can a member of the press please confirm why Sara Plain is not at least 7 months pregnant in this public, unaltered Governors photo taken with President Bush in February 2008? Her baby was supposedly born on April 18, 2008.

Independent Voter,
I too look forward to hearing her speak without a teleprompter and a speech writer. To be honest, I think she will make a great showing in person as well. However, be honest...even if she does speak well for herself, you won't vote for her will you? If your values don't match hers, you are going to vote for Obama anyway. Which is fine, that is the democratic process. But at that time, will you admit she spoke well or refuse to say you were wrong just like the other Obama supporters. Most of the Obama supporters out there who are still peddling the debunked information that was spewed out right after she was nominated for Vice President still refuse to admit that those things are untrue. Will you follow the party line or are you truly independent?

I'm a (real) African-American, 53 year old, Republican, (True) Christian (you know, the kind that not only reads the Bible, and knows what it says, but APPLIES the truths to my life daily), homeschooling mom, and I'm praising the Lord for Sarah Palin... Remember everyone, GOD IS IN CONTROL... Whomever HE chooses will be elected in November, no matter how Americans chose to vote. "NOBama in 08"

Let see Palin give a speech without a script and a teleprompter and could she please read something that wasn't written by a Bush speechwriter. Why is she in seclusion someone should tell her you can't cram for the presidency.

Well, gee, it's about time she's compared to Biden (Obama's VP). I was wondering what's wrong with the picture when McCain's #2 was being compared to Obama (the #1 ticket). Surely both are comparable in resume (only Palin takes Action while Obama stands on the sideline to be safe).

Jane your comments were well thought out and well spoken. I may not agree with you, but your post was not about personal attacks. You attacked Palin's record. That is what needs to be at issue here. If you are for Obama because you think he would better represent your views, I respect that. I look forward to the debates where hopefully issues and not personal attacks will hold sway.

Palin is for victory in the war against Iraq. She is for more drilling to make the energy costs lower on Americans. She is for alternative energy research. She is for ethics in government. She is against waste in government. She is for lower taxes. She has experience running the military in her own state. This is what she has said to America and this is what she has proven by her record in her own state. While I may not agree with her stance on abortion or censorship (if that claim is even true). I think there is a "chance in hell" of her ever getting those two issues through congress with so many Americans opposing it. So if McCain were to pass away, I am more than confident that she will keep this country safe despite her position on those two issues. In fact, no one knows when someone is going to die. The reality is that Obama could pass away. Then Biden would be president. I'm pretty sure everyone can agree that would be unfortunate. With his tendancy to stick his foot in his mouth, we could have an internation incident over one of his "misspoken" comments.

In the hisory of the United States there have only been white Presidents, some okay and some not so okay. We have just witnessed a REAL DUMB white President for the past eight years! My God, the U.S.A. is a laughing pot to the entire World. We have been recognized as being one of the dumbest countries. When GWB won, the world was quoted as saying "One thing is clear, 51% of America is dumb (those who voted the jackass$ in office again) and 49% was smart (those who didn't vote the retarded idiot back into office)!

FACT: CAN'T BLAME THE BLACK MAN FOR SCREWING UP THE COUNTRY...BUT IT WILL DEFINITELY TAKE A BLACK MAN TO FIX THE SCREWED UP COUNTRY.

So far all I have heard a statements that cannot be backed up by actual fact and personal attacks on the McCain/Palin ticket. I have also heard unsubstantiated facts about Obama being a closet Muslim. I really don't care that Koch is gay or that Palin's daughter is pregnant, or even that people think Obama is a Muslim. Most people who work everyday and watch their tax dollars pay for Congress to do NOTHING don't care about those things either. I want a team in office that will make my tax burden lighter, my economy better, and my country stronger. I believe that Obama will raise taxes. He may not raise income tax, but he will raise taxes on Corporations and other big business interests. As they say, "poop runs down hill." Corporations and big business will not absorb those taxes. They will be passed on to me. I will be taxed, just not directly which means I will spend less money in the economy and businesses will suffer...because I won't be the only one. McCain and Palin may very well stick with the current economic policy. And why not? It has gotten us through 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina without as much damage as could have been done had Democrats gotten their way. It is also good to note that the economy did not really begin to slide until Democrats took over the Congress. Obama is against U.S. drilling. He and his party pretend that they are for drilling, but give us token energy bills that allow very little drilling and spend a ton of money on unproven energy exploration. Then they claim Republicans are unwilling to work with them. That is like filling a cup with sewage and adding a teaspoon of water, then getting upset because no one will drink it! An energy bill that allows for a lot of drilling and a healthy budget for alternative fuel exploration and research would give this country a great economic boost and I know McCain and Palin will give that to our country. Obama does not believe that America needs to remain strong in Iraq. His predacessor Bill Clinton felt that way and allowed our troops to be dragged through the streets of Somolia, shorted our military of ammunition, and paid leaders by "contributions" and "aid" to their countries not to attack us. He believed we could talk to terrorists and negotiate as though they were "reasonable" people. Shortly after he left office, we saw planes killing our fellow countrymen and women. They thought we were weak willed and unable to protect our country. They soon found out otherwise. I am not pro war, but once we are in a war, we should be in it to win it. Obama can't conceive of victory in Iraq because he doesn't want to be wrong about his decision regarding the surge. Just like the Democrats want to blame President Bush for getting into the war, when most of them voted to declare war on Iraq. The so-called feminists want us to believe that Sarah Palin is a threat to our freedoms. They are NOT feminists. They are just a bunch of women that want to tell the rest of us (women) what to do. When we don't agree with their views, they tell us we are stupid, ignorant, backwards and being used by men. In truth, a true feminist believes whatever she feels is right. She doesn't bow down to the opinions of a bunch of women when they tell her she isn't right. She acknowledges her right to think for herself and fight for what she believes in. Sarah Palin may not share your opinions, but she is a true feminist. Her beliefs are her own and she does not let any man or woman tell her what to think. McCain and Palin will reach across party boundaries and work to create real improvement in this country. That is REAL CHANGE. And as far as McCain elitest remarks regarding Obama. I believe he was referring to the belief of Obama and many of his supporters that if you don't have an Ivy league education, you can't possibly be thinking correctly. If you just allow him to think for you, you and your backward thinking friends and family will be better off. After all, what could you possibly know about what is good for you? You don't have a harvard education and 25 months in the Senate under your belt. If you did, you would know that raising taxes, researching improbable energy options, and abandoning your military when they need you the most is the only way to a good economy, an overflowing energy reserve, and a safe country. Obama is not a bad person, he just believes that he can run this country better than anyone else because he is smart. He seems to forget, that experience, wisdom, and selflessness have always played a huge part in creating the best leaders this country has had to offer. He is smart, but he is not wise, experienced, or selfless. I don't hate him, I just don't want him as my president!

I see all the negative posts here about Palin. I for one think they hide the issues here.

I think it is great that she is a successful politician and stands for her beliefs.

For me though I don't support any of her policies or stances and beliefs.

If I was in Alaska I would not vote for her as Governer and now since McCain has picked her as a running mate can definatly not vote for him as a politician for the following reasons:

I don't know what she stands for in regards to policies for this country? Can anybody tell me where she stands on National Economy, healthcare, Iraq, National Security, Sudan, national poverty, Education, unions ....

Actually I know about Iraq she answered that some time ago in an interview and answered "I don't really know much about Iraq I have been too absorbed with domestic concerns in Alaska"

These are just a few of the items I know about her. If McCain had picked her on her policy stances I would be able to believe he picked her for a suitable running mate, but he didn't he picked her with meeting her once just to pander to the base of the party.

Again I have nothing against Sarah and I believe her to be a good person, I just don't believe in her beliefs and don't know of any of her NATIONAL or World Policies.

Surely we should have an idea what they are if they stand a very good chance of being president.

I hope McCains health is good for many years to come but in reality there is a large possibility that Sarah could become president.

I am not saying she is not qualified I am saying nobody knows for sure that is why there is such a drawn out election process to find out these issues. 8 weeks is not sufficient to hear what Sarah has to say on these issues and not what John's campaign tells her to say.

Plus I am sick of hearing about the bridge to nowhere! With all that is going on in this country and the world can't we find something more substantial she has an oppinion on?

Sorry John poor Judgement here and reflection of poor leadership you don't have my vote, you did before your vp pick.

“McCain is picking the areas where rates go up and ignoring the areas where Obama is trying to rebalance the tax code so that taxpayers would save,” said John Irons, research and policy director at the Economic Policy Institute, which is generally viewed as sympathetic to working families. Mr. Irons said that “the important thing is to look at overall impact on people” and that on this score,

“the vast majority of the population, almost the entirety of the middle class, would see more from Obama than McCain.”

Economists have also criticized the methodology behind Mr. McCain’s assertion that Americans from all kinds of backgrounds could end up paying thousands of dollars more in taxes if Mr. Obama got his way. Several criticized him as apparently basing his claim on an average figure in which, as Mr. Irons said, “Bill Gates is mixed with you and me, and everything gets skewed.”

“McCain is picking the areas where rates go up and ignoring the areas where Obama is trying to rebalance the tax code so that taxpayers would save,” said John Irons, research and policy director at the Economic Policy Institute, which is generally viewed as sympathetic to working families. Mr. Irons said that “the important thing is to look at overall impact on people” and that on this score,

“the vast majority of the population, almost the entirety of the middle class, would see more from Obama than McCain.”

Economists have also criticized the methodology behind Mr. McCain’s assertion that Americans from all kinds of backgrounds could end up paying thousands of dollars more in taxes if Mr. Obama got his way. Several criticized him as apparently basing his claim on an average figure in which, as Mr. Irons said, “Bill Gates is mixed with you and me, and everything gets skewed.” http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/us/politics/13check.html

Truth is - both sides are right. The "mainstream" candidates are POLITICANS!! Thus you'll know when they are lying cause their lips will be moving. The more disturbing thing is that the zealots posting here from both sides actually think there candidate is good and the other is bad. Unfortunately we don't really have a choice, but to elect a POLITICIAN! Not necessarily a statesmen. Not someone who steps up to serve their country out of duty, but someone who is making a career out of POLITICKING.

Being for less government and traditional values, and not wishing to see the country deteriorate into socialism, I would prefer to vote for Bob Barr (libertarian), but alas, with no chance of winning, my vote would not count. So it is with regret that I vote against Obama, not for McCain, but against Obama...

I certainly think that Palin is more qualified than Obama. She has more experience, better judgment and is clearly more intelligent than that dumb ape the Democrats have nominated. It seems that, once again, the Obama’s supporters who can’t think for themselves must resort to outright lies and straw man arguments to defend their pathetic candidate. Just once I wish I could engage in a civilized discussion with a room full of Democrats. Good Lord, what kind of country would we be if we allowed that abomination to become president? He wouldn’t even stand up to the party bosses when they blocked a vote on McCain's G.I. bill and instead took to the senate floor to lob personal attacks on a man who spent FIVE AND A HALF YEARS in a VIETNAM PRISON CELL. Do you honestly want a man who so cavalierly plays politics with an issue as serious as veterans affairs, even though he himself has never SERVED IN THE MILITARY, as our commander-in-chief? Obama and his ilk have run this country into the ground. I mean, he's the one who supported a failed energy policy. God, I can't wait to have a real conservative back in the White House. McCain-Palin '08!

It's unfortunate but I don't feel as though in good conscience I could vote for John McCain. I feel as though I can not trust him or Sarah Palin. They both appear to be ritualistically angry and don't seem to have a concrete plan on how to attack the problems that are chronically ailing America.

It's almost like 50% of the country seems logical and the other 50% seems like they are basing their decision on blinding fear.
That seems to be the McCain campaigns target market; let's target the irrational, marginally educated and the obscure and not so obscure bigots and run the most convoluted campaign so that they can't make a reasonable decision.

Seriously how do you run a campaign against yourself and convince people that your change. Skew the truth and keep repeating it over and over again.

hh, why did you stop at eleven names?
Go ahead add some more. His barber? Why not?
Palin is a lier. Just wait until she takes some questions from the press. The "Excitement" is going to down and replaced with contempt for such a high profile lier. Just wait and see.

“This is different than a normal book-selection procedure or a book-challenge policy,” Emmons [the head librarian] stressed Saturday. “She was asking me how I would deal with her saying a book can't be in the library."

"Emmons recalled that the Oct. 28 conversation she pulled no punches with her response to the mayor.

“'She asked me if I would object to censorship, and I replied "Yup",'” Emmons recounted Saturday. 'And I told her it would not be just me. This was a constitutional question, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) would get involved, too.

"Emmons said Palin asked her on Oct. 28 if she would object to censorship, even if people were circling the library in protest about a book. 'I told her it would definitely be a problem the ACLU would take on then,' Emmons said

"Asked who she thought might picket the library, Palin said Monday, 'Had no one in mind ... again, the issue was discussed in the context of a professional question being asked in regards to library policy.

“'All questions posed to Wasilla's library director were asked in the context of professionalism regarding the library policy that is in place in our city. Obviously the issue of censorship is a library question... you ask a library director that type of question,' Palin said..."

The Republicans want to change?
What did the Republican Party do when they were in power?

The GOP is moving on from what?
They have yet to admit any mistakes so, why do they need to hide from the last 8 years?

Did the White House make mistakes? Is that why Bush and Cheney can’t be seen at any McCain/Republican events? Not even at the Republican National Convention?

Is the Republican Party John McCain's now?
What do the Republicans do to "move forward"?

Which way were Republicans moving our country before?

See the GOP doesn't want to talk about their record of the last 8 years, so instead they change the subject. The Republicans elects a doffus TWICE for President (Bush)and now I'm supposed to trust them to tell me the truth.

After a decade of endless lies and corruption from Republicans, I'm not going to trust them as far as I can spit.

BUT SHE DID ASK the librarian if she would AGREE to remove books that contained "objectionable material." When the librarian responded that she would not remove books from the library if asked to do so, then Palin DID write a letter and attempted to have her fired.

After the threats became public and many Wasilla citizens expressed outrage, Palin was forced to back down.

So.... EVEN IF PALIN DIDN'T CENSOR THE BOOKS IN WASILLA'S PUBLIC LIBRARY, she certainly thought she had a right to do so and would have if the librarian agreed--AND THAT'S JUST AS UNCONSCIONABLE.

Alaskan Polar bears are outraged and angry at Koch.. how dare he !!?? Doesn't he realize how fun the Status Quo is?

Actual Quotes from these bears, who are now switching to the Reb party:

"She is one of our own from Alaska. When she tried to take our name of the endangered-list.. wow.. we became famous".

"Don't you know.. she loves fur coat- which means she loves us. Hey.. if she's in there, we could be a fur coat in the white house! Cool!"

"This is the first time in history to our knowledge that someone has kids and a career. Benazir Bhutto, Indra Ghandhi, Margret T, et all.. were all media fakes. This is the first one people. It's a new trend for us polar-bear women to relate to and achive.".

" The common sense is so awesome: 'The American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of personal discovery. ' Yeah! As polar bears, it gets hard to think. If you think, discover on your own, grow... and in turn, make the world a better place... that's weird!! That's human stuff.. we animals don't like that and don't want our prez to to that. Go Reb!"

I think Bush screwed up. I hate the idea of McCain and Palin. On the contrary, everytime an uneducated, hate spewing, double-talking liberal (Letterman, Maher) starts talking like Obama is the Messiah or that Biden will bring change I am forced back to the right. If the libs actually knew how to keep their mouths shut they would actually be in the whitehouse by now. We are doomed either way, both sides are liars and nuts and the media wont support someone in the middle.

Also, regarding the orders of resignation, published from that same article:

"But on Monday, Oct. 28, Emmons said Palin asked her outright if she could live with censorship of library books. This was during a weak when Palin was requesting resignations from all the city's department heads as a way of expressing loyalty."

This was not, as your article implies, a specifically-targeted act towards the Librarian, for clarification's sake.

I am not going to call you with description of any kind for your comments. What I will say is I disagree completey in all you have said in your comments about Barack H. Obama. I would like you to know I am supporting Obama and even more so now.

It is a pleasure to have you as a Republican, I dont mind Obama losing votes to your kind. God Bless Amercia

in answer to "Wake up liberal morons"
you really are an idiot, I read your post and it is the biggest pile of drival I have read on this entire post.

Don't you get it its about the issues, not color. Barack Obama is as american as any other candiate, so he has a multi racial background - guess what so do millions of americans, its part of the make up of America.

Your post just show's how ignorant you really are.

Please can we get to the issues and what the policies for this country are its your future people and it involves.

I see The Washington Post still refuses to check its facts related to the censorship issue.

Perhaps your journalists should not take geriatric minor ex-politicians who live thousands of miles away from the actual events at their word.

Quoting the very librarian whose job was "threatened:"

“This is different than a normal book-selection procedure or a book-challenge policy,” Emmons [the head librarian] stressed Saturday. “She was asking me how I would deal with her saying a book can't be in the library."

"Emmons recalled that the Oct. 28 conversation she pulled no punches with her response to the mayor.

“'She asked me if I would object to censorship, and I replied "Yup",'” Emmons recounted Saturday. 'And I told her it would not be just me. This was a constitutional question, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) would get involved, too.

"Emmons said Palin asked her on Oct. 28 if she would object to censorship, even if people were circling the library in protest about a book. 'I told her it would definitely be a problem the ACLU would take on then,' Emmons said

"Asked who she thought might picket the library, Palin said Monday, 'Had no one in mind ... again, the issue was discussed in the context of a professional question being asked in regards to library policy.

“'All questions posed to Wasilla's library director were asked in the context of professionalism regarding the library policy that is in place in our city. Obviously the issue of censorship is a library question... you ask a library director that type of question,' Palin said..."

I think the problem is just a lot of dumb people in this country. I mean they put Bush in twice. Now half of them are ready to vote for it again. It would almost be funny if it wasn't so serious.

but creationism? HAHHAHAHAHA. These evangelicals are totally insane. "Let's try to teach bible stories in science class and masquerade it as science."

lol, this evangelical movement has gotten extremely political and dangerous in the last 20 years. It's moved from religion to christian extremism. A large mass cult of domineering soccer moms and their brainwashed families.

I've never heard a slightly convincing argument as to why we should teach jewish fairy-tales in science class.

and according to polls, half the people in this country plan to vote for this kind of stuff!

It only takes a McCain health scare or concern, solidify McCain's defeat. People will start to think about everything from the War on Terror to the economy and then imagine Sarah Palin trying to deal with all those issues combined with all the family issues she has, and run away from that McCain/Palin ticket.

I say send Koch to Florida. He would have strong appeal to the Jewish community there.

Democrats fail to fully appreciate Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin has struck blow for under-qualified people everywhere. Thanks to Sarah Palin, I now aspire to be president some day. I have lived abroad nearly 2 years, have visited 6 continents and speak Spanish badly. I have opinions about foreign policy matters. I think I have her aced in the foreign policy arena. I can use a computer and find things on the Internet. I have opinions on technology policy. I think I've John McCain aced in this area. I pay off my credit cards every month and have had a balanced household budget since the early 80's, which means I've aced every Republican since Reagan on economics. I opposed the war in Iraq before Barack Obama. I know you can't win an occupation. I know you can't claim victory if you've never defined your goals. Yep, I'm even ready to be commander in chief--at least moreso than these two Republican bozos. That said, I'm ceding the election to Obama/Biden. I've already got a job I like.

I think she is a great lady with a servants heart. I am sad to see that Ed Koch would be so supportive of giving the mother the right to kill her unborn child and the resulting millions that have been slaughtered.... I am glad Ms. Palin stands against the modern "Final Solution" to one night stands. If more people would have stood up to the atrocities against the innocent in Hitler's Germany, millions then would not have been slaughtered. I am sorry so many are so willing to attack what is truly good and would rather support bloody infanticide - abortion.

The O-man, Barack Hussein Obama, is an eloquently tailored empty suit.
No resume, no accomplishments, no experience, no original ideas, no
understanding of how the economy works, no understanding of how the world
works, no balls, nothing but abstract empty rhetoric devoid of real
substance.

He has no real identity. He is half-white, which he rejects. The rest of him
is mostly Arab, which he hides but is disclosed by his non-African Arabic
surname and his Arabic first and middle names as a way to triply proclaim
his Arabic parentage to people in Kenya . Only a small part of him is
African Black from his Luo grandmother, which he pretends he is exclusively.

What he isn't, not a genetic drop of, is 'African-American,' the descendant
of enslaved Africans brought to America chained in slave ships .. He hasn't
a single ancestor who was a slave. Instead, his Arab ancestors were slave
owners. Slave-trading was the main Arab business in East Africa for
centuries until the British ended it.

Let that sink in: Obama is not the descendant of slaves, he is the
descendant of slave owners. Thus he makes the perfect Liberal Messiah.

KonaGold...I am glad that you think the libs are scared....Because from the looks of it, the McCain/Palin ticket is afraid to let the little micky mouse speak to the press. Isn't Sarah a big little girl...now isn't she the tough hockey mom who can hold her own! Clinton certainly held her on...so have other candidates. why are the rethugs soooo afraid to let little ms. screw me in the behind talk to the Press....Yeah, we really see who's afraid and it sure ain't us libers! LOL

This election is serious to me. I want to trust the next President to do the right things for America. I like McCain, but I have listened to Obama and Biden, they are saying the right things. The thing with me about Palin is, I keep asking myself WHO IS SHE, Please Palin, say something profound, speak about the the real issues concerning America...I think it will have to be Obama and Biden who has my support.

Koch scared - that's funny; he didn't seem to mind being mayor of a city that was more of a sewer than a place to live. Crime, drugs, prostitution, graft, corruption, pornography, homelessness, poverty, blight, welfare laden - yeah I could see why he would be afraid of someone who is completely the opposite of the piece of crap NY used to call "mayor".

As a devout Christian voter tired of the extreme Christian right pretending to speak for me, I am extremely disturbed by McCain/Palin (or should I say McCain/Ann Coulter). The extremely conservative views of Ms. Palin will not serve our country well (including teaching religion in public schools via intelligent design for God's sake?! C'mon who's going to teach what the curriculum, Rev. Phelps?!). Also, the fact that the extreme right is ecstatic at Palin suggests to me that the economy is going to be put on the back seat in favor or the latest social issue that social conservatives believe in.

It is time to heal this world, to help those in need, and narrow the gap between rich and poor. It is time to wake up and accept that we need to work together once and for all. While I do not think abortion is right, I also do not think that that is the worst problem plaguing our country. I think helping the poor (instead of more tax breaks for the rich), not risking the retirement of our seniors by privatizing social security, helping the environment, and ensuring we have insurance for all is extremely important. This is the true embodiment of Christian love.

God forbid something happens to McCain and she's our president?! She's so polarizing! I think Ms. Palin’s views on intelligent design, praying the gay away, funding of private Christian schools over public schools, and the like to see how she is very similar to Ann Coulter ideologically. McCain clearly showed poor decision-making in picking her--being pressured by the extreme right-wing. What we end up with is worse than even Bush/Cheney--we end up with a McCain/Coulter!

The mayor spread another lie. Even though there are lists of books she supposedly tried to have censored, those lists are fabrications. One reason I'm voting FOR her is that I have no respect for the liberals because of their lies and slander against her. If they have to make up stories about her like this about her, what more will they do to the country?

Republicans are throwing out the fairy dust by the truck load, but it won't erase the nightmarish lack of leadership that America has suffered through the past 8 years. After the dust has settled - are we better off now, then 8 years ago?

Koch is out of touch. Just look at P. Diddy and his masterful control of the English language for why Dems support Obama. Mr. Barak Hussain Obama - the famously popular “Christian who is pro-death for innocent unborn and unwanted human babies” supporter. On that issue alone you see his true nature – not concerned for the American people. WAKE UP

Koch has all the most recent liberal talking points. I bet the reporter interviewing him updated those liberal talking points just to make sure they were on message.

It's discusting to listen to the Obama hate machine and the liberal media. They are in total lock step. Talking pts spread out every morning and all the talking heads spout them out within seconds of each other.

Let's face it folks, Plain was a great choice, while chosing Biden was a failure. A perfect example to demonstrate the difference between the two candidates. If Palin was a bad choice the dems wouldn't even be talking about her. They would be fcoused on other things like promoting their own candidate. But unfortunately for them, it will be easier to elect BO if people don't much about him. Thus they try to shift the focus. She does have more experience than him BTW, and you know it.
And in the meam time - where is Biden? Trying to find his way out of the corner.

I think it will be difficult for Republicans to make any substantial arguments against affirmative action after this pick. Affirmative action not for individual uplift but as desperate political maneuvering is a cynical betrayal of principals to gain power.

One question - and please answer honestly:

Were Palin a man, would McCain have picked her? Point made.

...and now John McCain only wants to talk about Palin.

Why? Skepticism isn't sexism.....

Do you love how the McCain campaign is exploiting women by his VP pick?

It seems to be working and it is a sign of how gullible people are.

Before Palin, McCain was no go for women. So the McCain campaign picks a woman with just about the same opinions and record as McCain, and women start falling in line? MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

There is nothing"flash in the pan" about the dems comments here. The true "flash in the pan" os Palin herself.

Read the truth about Palin and where she stands on the issues. I guarantee you that ANYBODY who does that, be they Reb., Dem, or other, will reconsider their initial infatuation with this former beauty queen (or PRINCESS if you wish) and get back on track. We need people in our highest offices who care more about our country then about insulting their opponents for office. Palin is indeed a "barracuda" of the worst kind. Had I written the song I would ask her not to use it too. Don't insult yourselves by falling for her limited appeal. If you want a "barracuda" go deep sea fishing. If you want a competent person at the very top of our government vote anything but McCain/Palin or don't vote at all.

One of my relatives sent this to me in pdf: "Sarah Palin’s Record on
Alaska Native and Tribal Issues
1. Palin has attacked Alaska Native Subsistence Fishing
Perhaps no issue is of greater importance to Alaska Native peoples as the right to hunt
and fish according to ancient customary and traditional practices, and to carry on the subsistence
way of life for future generations.
Governor Sarah Palin has consistently opposed those rights.
Once in office, Governor Palin decided to continue litigation that seeks to overturn every
subsistence fishing determination the federal government has ever made in Alaska. (State of
Alaska v. Norton, 3:05-cv-0158-HRH (D. Ak).) In pressing this case, Palin decided against
using the Attorney General (which usually handles State litigation) and instead continued
contracting with Senator Ted Stevens’ brother-in-law’s law firm (Birch, Horton, Bittner &
Cherot).
The goal of Palin’s law suit is to invalidate all the subsistence fishing regulations the
federal government has issued to date to protect Native fishing, and to force the courts instead to
take over the roll of setting subsistence regulations. Palin’s law suit seeks to diminish
subsistence fishing rights in order to expand sport and commercial fishing.
In May 2007, the federal court rejected the State’s main challenge, holding that Congress
in 1980 had expressly granted the U.S. Interior and Agriculture Departments the authority to
regulate and protect Native and rural subsistence fishing activities in Alaska. (Decision entered
May 15, 2007 (Dkt. No. 110).)
Notwithstanding this ruling, Palin continues to argue in the litigation that the federal
subsistence protections are too broad, and should be narrowed to exclude vast areas from
subsistence fishing, in favor of sport and commercial fishing. Palin opposes subsistence
protections in marine waters, on many of the lands that Natives selected under their 1971 land
claims settlement with the state and federal governments, and in many of the rivers where Alaska
Natives customarily fish. (Alaska Complaint at 15-18.) Palin also opposes subsistence fishing
protections on Alaska Native federal allotments that were deeded to individuals purposely to
foster Native subsistence activities. All these issues are now pending before the federal district
court.
2. Palin has attacked Alaska Native Subsistence Hunting
Palin has also sought to invalidate critical determinations the Federal Subsistence Board
has made regarding customary and traditional uses of game, specifically to take hunting
opportunities away from Native subsistence villagers and thereby enhance sport hunting.
Palin’s attack here on subsistence has focused on the Ahtna Indian people in Chistochina.
Although the federal district court has rejected Palin’s challenge, she has carried on an appeal
that was argued in August 2008. (State of Alaska v. Fleagle, No. 07-35723 (9th Cir.).)
In both hunting and fishing matters, Palin has continued uninterrupted the policies
initiated by the former Governor Frank Murkowski Administration, challenging hunting and
fishing protections that Native people depend upon for their subsistence way of life in order to
enhance sport fishing and hunting opportunities. Palin’s lawsuits are a direct attack on the core
way of life of Native Tribes in rural Alaska.
3. Palin has attacked Alaska Tribal Sovereignty
Governor Palin opposes Alaska tribal sovereignty.
Given past court rulings affirming the federally recognized tribal status of Alaska Native
villages, Palin does not technically challenge that status. But Palin argues that Alaska Tribes
have no authority to act as sovereigns, despite their recognition.
So extreme is Palin on tribal sovereignty issues that she has sought to block tribes from
exercising any authority whatsoever even over the welfare of Native children, adhering to a 2004
legal opinion issued by the former Murkowski Administration that no such jurisdiction exists
(except when a state court transfers a matter to a tribal court).
Both the state courts and the federal courts have struck down Palin’s policy of refusing to
recognize the sovereign authority of Alaska Tribes to address issues involving Alaska Native
children. Native Village of Tanana v. State of Alaska, 3AN-04-12194 CI (judgment entered
Aug. 26, 2008) (Ak. Super. Ct.); Native Kaltag Tribal Council v. DHHS, No. 3:06-cv-00211-
TMB (D. Ak.), pending on appeal No 08-35343 (9th Cir.)). Nonetheless, Palin’s policy of
refusing to recognize Alaska tribal sovereignty remains unchanged.
4. Palin has attacked Alaska Native Languages
Palin has refused to accord proper respect to Alaska Native languages and voters by
refusing to provide language assistance to Yup'ik speaking Alaska Native voters. As a result,
Palin was just ordered by a special three-judge panel of federal judges to provide various forms
of voter assistance to Yup'ik voters residing in southwest Alaska. Nick v. Bethel, No. 3:07-cv-
0098-TMB (D. Ak.) (Order entered July 30, 2008). Citing years of State neglect, Palin was
ordered to provide trained poll workers who are bilingual in English and Yup'ik; sample ballots
in written Yup'ik; a written Yup'ik glossary of election terms; consultation with local Tribes to
ensure the accuracy of Yup'ik translations; a Yup'ik language coordinator; and pre-election and
post-election reports to the court to track the State's efforts.
In sum, measured against some the rights that are most fundamental to Alaska Native Tribes –
the subsistence way of life, tribal sovereignty and voting rights – Palin’s record is a failure."

Still not scared, Mad Mac is the problem, she is not the benefit to the ticket some think she is.

If you support
Censorship
Want to reverse Rowe vs Wade
Believe in teaching Creationism in schools
Believe in teaching abstinance and not teaching precautions.
Believe in lack of gun control.
Is an isolitionist in terms of world policy
Want a leader who shades what he really stood for and bends to the wants of his campaign not his own beliefs.

Then you should vote for McCain and Palin

If you want somebody who represents america as a whole and realizes this nation is
A multi-racial county
Has freedom of religion
Freedom of speech and civil rights
Is aware that we need to have good standing and support of allies and foreign nations around the world.
Somebody who answers questions with thought and poise rather than rash quick answers (saddleback interview, remember the evil question, think about the answers of both candidates, I mean really think about the answers.)

Then you vote for Obama and Biden

Its simple your beliefs are in either of the above two camps. McCain has sold himself out as an individual, he's no longer the answer for this country the second he picked Palin for all the wrong reasons.

Elect enough leftists and you really WILL see censorship like you have never seen before ! Already they have banned classics like "Huckleberry Finn" from many libraries. Certain words are banned simply because they don't like them. You can't even speak your mind without being hit with criminal charges ! Koch makes me laugh, or should I say, SHUDDER !

You liberal white males sound dangerous! I must say however, it is a delight to read your fuming, nasty little diatribes as your Messiah drops in polls and struggles to remember what Republican idea he is for today that he was against yesterday.
Obama... No, I'll pass.

I am getting a big laugh out of how scared and shook up the liberals have become since Palin was added to the McCain ticket.
Attack dogs are coming out of the slime from everywhere to try and knock down a woman who has sunstantially energized the other party, independent voters and yes even a few Hillary supporters still sour about how Obama treated their candidate. Who should be surprised? The Dems always manage to shoot themselves in the foot come national election time. Obama really made his "time for a change" argument look silly when he chose Biden as his VP pick.
KG

C'mon Post - what happened to journalism? You and Koch are just regurgitating Daily Kos material. Palin did not ban books. I realize the "truth is inconvenient", but many of the books Palin is accused of banning were not even in print when she was Mayor. http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_palin.html

C'mon Post - what happened to journalism? You and Koch are just regurgitating Daily Kos material. Palin did not ban books. I realize the "truth is inconvenient", but many of the books Palin is accused of banning were not even in print when she was Mayor. http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_palin.html

"In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers," she says. "And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."

Well, obviously this is the EXACT OPPOSITE OF THE TRUTH.

John McSame, has done NOTHING but promote himself as some kind of "change", when he has done NOTHING to change any of the real issues facing this country. Sure it's bad that there's too much spending, his running mate has made a nice living from it. But that is not what is running this country into the ground. It is the Bush policies that John McSame has voted with 95% of the time, and has vowed to continue.
Barack Obama on the other hand has done NOTHING BUT BRING CHANGE for the past 20 years, and used politics to do it.
With our help he will grow this country into the Superpower it once was, and help the hard working people of this country who are tired of people like John McSame doing nothing but helping the rich while screwing the middle class and poor.

You Ed are exactly right, and we all hope that you can help us change America to once again Lead the world.

You can keep writing about sarahs experiencce, but we all know its a lie.Even Baracks days as a 'Organizer" he dealt with more people than sara ever has.The south side of Chicago is as populated as the entire state of Alaska.
Whats really funny about the push on Sarahs experience, is the GOP and Righties all over this page are aware that JOHN MCCAIN is a LAME DUCK, and will never be elected to run the free world.
McCain knows no policy, knows no new ideas, can only recite his speeches , doesnt know how to walk and talk at the same time.He is so out of touch with reality of todays AMerican, he's still talking about "EARMARKS' when the average person is worried about his Job, his income, and his way of life

Once the "celebrity" dust around Sarah Palin settles, it is becoming clear just what an irresponsible, impulsive pick this was.

She has no knowledge of or background in national and international issues that Obama has dealt with both as a U.S. Senator and as a national candidate who won his party's nomination. She didn't know just this year what a vice president does. She hasn't traveled outside the US before last year.

She is a governor popular in her own particular state, but for most Americans she harbors an extreme right-wing agenda on book banning, creationism in schools, criminalizing abortion, banning stem cell research, and cutting social spending for the disadvantaged and poor. She has no grounding in basic economic policy and doesn't know the basics of how Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae function (not how well or poorly they functioned, but what their actual role has been).

Koch is right. Sarah Palin should scare the heck out of anyone who seriously imagines her as president, and her selection and the subsequent "surprises" about the abuse of power investigation, support of earmarks, and support of the Bridge to Nowhere (before she flip-flopped on it) show just how poorly suited John McCain is to a leadership role.

Ed Koch, YOU sir, are an idiot. Governor Palin supports this thing called the second amendment (maybe you have heard of it) and family values. The book banning story is a fabrication of the left wing lunatic fringe and in fact some books SHOULD be banned.... do you want your 16 year old learning how to build a bomb or a punji trap? IF you are worried about law abiding citizens, maybe you could ask that crackhead bloomberg why he had people making "straw purchases" of guns in other states (a blatant violation of federal firearms laws)in an effort to make up a "gun running" scenario that didnt really exist. And lets not even talk about murdering unborn babies during the birth process (partial birth abortion)and then insisting that the gansta of the month needs just ONE MORE chance to prove he can be a good member of society. Maybe obama's racist preacher had it right, maybe all the white people in America ARE stupid!! Whats the differnce between the grand dragon of the KKK and jeremiah wright? a sheet.

The liberals on this site are pretty typical. Crazed personal attacks on Palin that come across as desperate because Obamas flash in the pan glitze is on the fade.
And the relentless chant of four more years of Bush, in order to keep the focus off BO and his obvious lack of experience. If you were to just look at resumes, with no knowledge of names or genders, we'd all pick Palin over Obama, and McCain over Palin. The GOP is in the drivers seat right now and the liberals are running scared. But keep it up leftys, your exposing yourselves (as usual).

C'mon Post - what happened to journalism? You and Koch are just regurgitating Daily Kos material. Palin did not ban books. I know the "truth is inconvenient", but many of the books Palin is accused of banning were not even in print when she was Mayor. Go to factcheck.org.

I'm a longtime Arizona resident and can attest to John McCain's "maverick" image -- the John McCain of 2000, that is. Since then, he's fallen in line with the rest of the good ol' boys who have run this country into the ground over the last eight years. The McCain of 2000 wouldn't even vote for the McCain of 2008.

Come on Washington Post. At least make a passing attempt to check a fact or two.

From factcheck.org>>>

Not a Book Burner

One accusation claims then-Mayor Palin threatened to fire Wasilla’s librarian for refusing to ban books from the town library. Some versions of the rumor come complete with a list of the books that Palin allegedly attempted to ban. Actually, Palin never asked that books be banned; no books were actually banned; and many of the books on the list that Palin supposedly wanted to censor weren't even in print at the time, proving that the list is a fabrication. The librarian was fired, but was told only that Palin felt she didn’t support her. She was re-hired the next day. The librarian never claimed that Palin threatened outright to fire her for refusing to ban books.

It’s true that Palin did raise the issue with Mary Ellen Emmons, Wasilla’s librarian, on at least two occasions, three in some versions. Emmons flatly stated her opposition each time. But, as the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman (Wasilla’s local paper) reported at the time, Palin asked general questions about what Emmons would say if Palin requested that a book be banned. According to Emmons, Palin "was asking me how I would deal with her saying a book can't be in the library." Emmons reported that Palin pressed the issue, asking whether Emmons' position would change if residents were picketing the library. Wasilla resident Anne Kilkenny, who was at the meeting, corroborates Emmons' story, telling the Chicago Tribune that "Sarah said to Mary Ellen, 'What would your response be if I asked you to remove some books from the collection?' "

Palin characterized the exchange differently, initially volunteering the episode as an example of discussions with city employees about following her administration's agenda. Palin described her questions to Emmons as “rhetorical,” noting that her questions "were asked in the context of professionalism regarding the library policy that is in place in our city." Actually, true rhetorical questions have implied answers (e.g., “Who do you think you are?”), so Palin probably meant to describe her questions as hypothetical or theoretical. We can't read minds, so it is impossible for us to know whether or not Palin may actually have wanted to ban books from the library or whether she simply wanted to know how her new employees would respond to an instruction from their boss. It is worth noting that, in an update, the Frontiersman points out that no book was ever banned from the library’s shelves.

Palin initially requested Emmons’ resignation, along with those of Wasilla’s other department heads, in October 1996. Palin described the requests as a loyalty test and allowed all of them (except one, whose department she was eliminating) to retain their positions. But in January 1997, Palin fired Emmons, along with the police chief. According to the Chicago Tribune, Palin did not list censorship as a reason for Emmons’ firing, but said she didn’t feel she had Emmons’ support. The decision caused “a stir” in the small town, according to a newspaper account at the time. According to a widely circulated e-mail from Kilkenny, “city residents rallied to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin’s attempt at out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew her termination letter.”

As we’ve noted, Palin did not attempt to ban any library books. We don’t know if Emmons’ resistance to Palin’s questions about possible censorship had anything to do with Emmons’ firing. And we have no idea if the protests had any impact on Palin at all. There simply isn’t any evidence that we can find either way. Palin did re-hire Emmons the following day, saying that she now felt she had the librarian’s backing. Emmons continued to serve as librarian until August 1999, when the Chicago Tribune reports that she resigned.

So what about that list of books targeted for banning, which according to one widely e-mailed version was taken “from the official minutes of the Wasilla Library Board”? If it was, the library board should take up fortune telling. The list includes the first four Harry Potter books, none of which had been published at the time of the Palin-Emmons conversations. The first wasn't published until 1998. In fact, the list is a simple cut-and-paste job, snatched (complete with typos and the occasional incorrect title) from the Florida Institute of Technology library Web page, which presents the list as “Books banned at one time or another in the United States.”

Update, Sept. 9: We have revised this section dealing with accusations that Palin wanted to ban books from Wasilla's library to include more detail about what transpired at the time.

"In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers," she says. "And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."

Well, obviously this is the EXACT OPPOSITE OF THE TRUTH.

John McSame, has done NOTHING but promote himself as some kind of "change", when he has done NOTHING to change any of the real issues facing this country. Sure it's bad that there's too much spending, his running mate has made a nice living from it. But that is not what is running this country into the ground. It is the Bush policies that John McSame has voted with 95% of the time, and has vowed to continue.
Barack Obama on the other hand has done NOTHING BUT BRING CHANGE for the past 20 years, and used politics to do it.
With our help he will grow this country into the Superpower it once was, and help the hard working people of this country who are tired of people like John McSame doing nothing but helping the rich while screwing the middle class and poor.

You Ed are exactly right, and we all hope that you can help us change America to once again Lead the world.

What's really scary is that all the people insulting Koch and Obama on this board seem like such slack-jaws--and they don't even know it!

Please tell me that this is the same person multi-posting or else the country is truly doomed.

Has anyone ever seen that twilight zone where the girl's face is wrapped up and the doctors say she was in a tremendous accident. When they undo the bandage, she is beautiful, but then the pig-faced populous seeing her is horrified. Irony and a lesson of course.

Such can the case be made against so many boards you come across where the comments against Obama and for Palin are so ridiculous that it makes one sick to their stomach. Sure flame this, but take a good look in the mirror those who do.

...that and learn how to write and think critically, though I'm sure I am asking to much.

"In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers," she says. "And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."

Well, obviously this is the EXACT OPPOSITE OF THE TRUTH.

John McSame, has done NOTHING but promote himself as some kind of "change", when he has done NOTHING to change any of the real issues facing this country. Sure it's bad that there's too much spending, his running mate has made a nice living from it. But that is not what is running this country into the ground. It is the Bush policies that John McSame has voted with 95% of the time, and has vowed to continue.
Barack Obama on the other hand has done NOTHING BUT BRING CHANGE for the past 20 years, and used politics to do it.
With our help he will grow this country into the Superpower it once was, and help the hard working people of this country who are tired of people like John McSame doing nothing but helping the rich while screwing the middle class and poor.

You Ed are exactly right, and we all hope that you can help us change America to once again Lead the world.

"In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers," she says. "And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."

Well, obviously this is the EXACT OPPOSITE OF THE TRUTH.

John McSame, has done NOTHING but promote himself as some kind of "change", when he has done NOTHING to change any of the real issues facing this country. Sure it's bad that there's too much spending, his running mate has made a nice living from it. But that is not what is running this country into the ground. It is the Bush policies that John McSame has voted with 95% of the time, and has vowed to continue.
Barack Obama on the other hand has done NOTHING BUT BRING CHANGE for the past 20 years, and used politics to do it.
With our help he will grow this country into the Superpower it once was, and help the hard working people of this country who are tired of people like John McSame doing nothing but helping the rich while screwing the middle class and poor.

You Ed are exactly right, and we all hope that you can help us change America to once again Lead the world.

What's really scary is that all the people insulting Koch and Obama on this board seem like such slack-jaws--and they don't even know it!

Please tell me that this is the same person multi-posting or else the country is truly doomed.

Has anyone ever seen that twilight zone where the girl's face is wrapped up and the doctors say she was in a tremendous accident. When they undo the bandage, she is beautiful, but then the pig-faced populous seeing her is horrified. Irony and a lesson of course.

Such can the case be made against so many boards you come across where the comments against Obama and for Palin are so ridiculous that it makes one sick to their stomach. Sure flame this, but take a good look in the mirror those who do.

...that and learn how to write and think critically, though I'm sure I am asking to much.

Palin has as much experience if not more than Nobama. Who is NObama anyway? Raised in a Muslim school. Just slipped up with George Stephanopolis and said my muslim faith, and had to be corrected.
Al Quaida and Muslim terrorists continue to praise Nobama, saying they dont believe hes Christian. They believe he'll be first muslim American president. They claim you must change your muslim name to be a true converter to another religion. Nobama has NOT changed his name. In the Koran it says you must lie to infidels. Be friend them til you are stronger than they are, then attack. Nobama is lying he is a christian. He was i na church for 20 years and didnt know anything his pastor ever said! hahahahahaha and he cant answer when life begins? Any real christian can answer this. Nobama is a fake and a liar. Hes snowing over america with his eloquent fluff filled speeches. about the only thing he can do is talk a good game.
Im scared to hell of Nobama! Go Palin! too bad shes not running for President! Id vote for her then too.

Palin is not a "little Wal-mart mom from Alaska". Her starting salary as mayor of Wasilla was $75K (and more than $80K when she become governor of that 680,000 resident hamlet), plus her husband's oil industry salary AND the family's commercial fishing business. I sincerely doubt she's ever shopped at Walmart.

In putting up a building if you fake the figures in the formulas or fake the facts your building will crumble. Witness Bush's 8 year legacy. McCain and Palin, like Bush are nice people but their solutions will cause the crash. If we really love this country we should really start thinking
for ourselves. Bush = Failure and
McCain = Bush , therefore ..............
(please complete).

The wimps are the republicans, ready to shoot and bomb anything and everyone out of fear, afraid of black people, afraid of cities, afraid of educated people, afraid of foreigners...afraid of the real America...afraid of the truth

Anyone you is paying attention would be scared at the thought of Palin a heartbeat away from the Presidency. This isn't American Idol, you need to have some qualifications for the job, she has none, and her views are extreme fringe.

-----------------------------------------

Dude, you just described Obama! Except he is running for the top job! About Ed Koch, come on, the guy is a sexist. Never married (wink-wink). He's flip-flopped so many times he doesn't know who he supports.

We need to ask ourselves if a person we barely know is what this country needs right now. Do we really want a total unknown who appears to have some extreme views to be just one blood clot away from the Presidency? I mean, McCain is 72, there's at least a 25% chance he will pass away, have a stroke, or some other disabling illness (says my physician husband). As Americans, we need to think long and hard about this choice and not make knee-jerk decisions based on limited knowledge.

Do any of the people that like the *bold* choice of *Annie Oakley-type* Gov Palin, realize that this is for VP of the United States?
This isn't a Reality Show, kids.
This is Reality.
You want an *Annie Oakley* type, as VP, or possibly President??
Or the *bold* risk-taker as President?
There's some serious stuff going on in the world, and in this country. The last thing we need, is another fly-by-the-pants, gut-thinking Executive.

It's truly amazing how many people think this election is a Reality Show, and willing to put the country, and their kids, at risk.

Hilarious!! This is just the best time in my politically aware life!! Boy, it's just absolutely comical to see the Left in such a fit while their candidate is sinking and they see their slamdunk 08 chances slipping away, and there's nothing you can do about it but dream up made up scandals. And the fact it's completely backfiring on you all and you keep doing it is maybe the funniest part of all. Keep it up!! C'mon, I think read somewhere she EATS CHILDREN, go post that on some blog somewhere! A little Wal-Mart mom from Alaska is just creaming the political elitist machine, there's justice in the world after all.

Thanks Ed!
We've seen how much damage to this country that a first term evangelical governor, and an old angry warmonger, both bought and paid for by big oil can do.
America needs your help to see to it that they don't get another chance to do the same thing, with different people.

I can't believe someone had the gull to cite Reverend Wright here. Have you not heard about Palin's "crazy pastor" problem? Well, to proffer the words of one poster, he "makes Reverend Wright look like Winnie the Pooh."

Our economy is in the crapper.
Healthcare costs are astronomical.
Gas is averaging $4 per gallon.
We're hemorrhaging American lives in a blunder war waged under false pretenses.

And you want four more years of the same? Four more years of the people who are trying to make this campaign about personality instead of issues because they don't have a platform to run on? Give me a break.

You must now live with the fact that the entire DNC has messed-up big-time; from Howard Dean on down. Palin just magnifies your mess-up. The Democrats always have a way of picking the WORST candidates.

I think it will be difficult for Republicans to make any substantial arguments against affirmative action after this pick. Affirmative action not for individual uplift but as desperate political maneuvering is a cynical betrayal of principals to gain power.

One question - and please answer honestly:

Were Palin a man, would McCain have picked her? Point made.

...and now John McCain only wants to talk about Palin.

Why? Skepticism isn't sexism.....

Do you love how the McCain campaign is exploiting women by his VP pick?

It seems to be working and it is a sign of how gullible people are.

Before Palin, McCain was no go for women. So the McCain campaign picks a woman with just about the same opinions and record as McCain, and women start falling in line? MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

She's a real Annie Oakley type, rootin' tootin' all American woman. I could see why a wussy like you would be scared. Probably beat the snot right out of you too.

---------

Yeah, because what this country really needs after the last 8 years is a *cowboy*. Someone who'll go toe to toe with those other countries and tell them to shove off if they don't like how we do business. Someone who isn't afraid of unilateralism. Someone who stays the course no matter what, because that's how we are here in America.

Man, if only we'd had someone like that in the White House for the last 8 years, maybe we wouldn't be where we're at today.

Do an internet search on "McCain" "Keating", McSame was one of the infamous Keating 5 senators who accepted campaign donations from convicted felon Keating and then tried to block the feds from prosecuting him.

Do an internet search on "McCain", "campaign" and "lobbyist". McSame currently has over 70 lobbyists working on his campaign, Obama has ZERO!! McSAME is no agent of change.

Palin does have some similarities with W. She is pro-life, pro-gun, anti-gay, born-again, promoting a theocracy.
But there the similarity comes to an end; Bush was Governer of the 2nd highest oil producing state. Palin is Governer of the highest.
If you believe that Bush had a conflict of interest between the needs of big oil and the needs of this country, consider the above.
But then again you may believe that the needs of big oil and the needs of this country are the same....

I admit it: Palin scares me too. She is so far, far out there on the right. And I sent money to McCain in 2000. Too bad that guy's not running this time.

Does anyone honestly think that if the Republicans retain control that they will really make abortion illegal? (or outlaw gay marriage, or put pray back in the schools?) And give up those rallying calls? Not likely!

Look what they did on the abortion issue during the time they held both Congress and the White House: that's right, NOTHING. Not a thing. No bill to overturn Roe v Wade. Not even from oh so concerned about the unborn Santorum during his lame duck months. But there was plenty of time to cut taxes for the uber-rich and try to privatize Social Security.

Wake up, folks. They trot these issues out at election time, then govern on an entirely different set of principles, ones that make sure their buds in business who are writing the campaign checks get what they want, not you.

Governor of an unpopulated state, very weak on key issues and a pure unknown. A great smile and glasses can take you far but you should not be next in line to be president of this great country without being tested. I'm familiar with everyone on both tickets due to the length of this campaign, and everyone has been challenged-- except her. And now, because she's a good soccer mom- I'm supposed to give her my independent vote?? Should I have supported Romney because he looks 'presidential'? Heck no!!! She can rile the religious right but hopefully-- that's where this 'undeserving popularity' will end.

Anyone you is paying attention would be scared at the thought of Palin a heartbeat away from the Presidency. This isn't American Idol, you need to have some qualifications for the job, she has none, and her views are extreme fringe.

McCain failed to vett Palin.
The MSM is failing to vett her.
National Enquirer will vett her and I'm sorry for her and her family. But, nevertheless, hallelujah for freedom of speech. It is an amazing thing.

There is nothing wrong with being happily stinking rich and utterly detached like McCain is. Nothing, that is, unless you make criticizing your political opponent as "elitist" and "out of touch" a centerpiece of your campaign. Rick Davis, speaking on behalf of his $100 million man John McCain, earlier this month offered the latest formulation of Barack Obama as an effete, aloof denizen of the upper class:

"Only celebrities like Barack Obama go to the gym three times a day, demand 'MET-RX chocolate roasted-peanut protein bars and bottles of a hard-to-find organic brew - Black Forest Berry Honest Tea' and worry about the price of arugula."

Of course, Davis' "arugula war" is just another attempt at misdirection. After all, John McCain's $5 million threshold where "you move from middle class to rich" is just the latest episode of his enduring disconnect from the real lives of the American people.

For starters, McCain in April declared that there had been "great progress economically" during the Bush years. On more than one occasion, he diagnosed Americans' concerns over the dismal U.S. economy as "psychological." (Phil Gramm, McCain's close friend and adviser supposedly excommunicated over his "whiners" remarks, was back with the campaign last week.) McCain, a man who owns eight homes nationwide, in March lectured Americans facing foreclosure that they ought to be "doing what is necessary -- working a second job, skipping a vacation, and managing their budgets -- to make their payments on time." And when all else fails, McCain told the people of the economically devastated regions in Martin County, Kentucky and Youngstown, Ohio, there's always eBay.

In his defense, McCain's shocking tone-deafness may just be a matter of perspective. When you're as well off as he is, anything below a $5 million income (a figure exceeding that earned on average by the top 0.1% of Americans) seems middle class.

*The $100 Million Man*
Courtesy of his wife Cindy's beer distribution fortune (one her late father apparently chose not to share with her half-sister Kathleen), the McCains are worth well over $100 million. (In the two-page tax summary she eventually released to the public, Cindy McCain reported another $6 million in 2006.) As Salon reported back in 2000, the second Mrs. McCain's millions were essential in launching her husband's political career. Unsurprisingly, the Weekly Standard's Matthew Continetti, who four years ago called Theresa Heinz-Kerry a "sugar mommy," has been silent on the topic of Cindy McCain.

*The Joys of (Eight) Home Ownership*
While fellow adulterer John Edwards was pilloried for his mansion, John McCain's eight homes around the country have received little notice or criticism. His properties include a 10 acre lake-side Sedona estate, euphemistically called a "cabin" by the McCain campaign, and a home featured in Architectural Digest. The one featuring "remote control window coverings" was recently put up for sale. Still, their formidable resources did not prevent the McCains from failing to pay taxes on a tony La Jolla, California condo used by Cindy's aged aunt.

*The Anheuser-Busch Windfall*
As it turns out, the beauty of globalization is in the eye of the beholder. While John McCain apparently played a critical role in facilitating DHL's takeover of Airborne (and with it, the looming loss of 8,000 jobs in Wilmington, Ohio), Cindy McCain is set to earn a staggering multi-million dollar pay-day from the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch by the Belgian beverage giant, In Bev. As the Wall Street Journal reported in July, Mrs. McCain runs the third largest Anheuser-Busch distributorship in the nation, and owns between $2.5 and $5 million in the company's stock. Amazingly, while Missouri's politicians of both parties lined up to try to block the sale, John McCain held a fundraiser in the Show Me State even as the In Bev deal was being finalized.

*McCain's $370,000 Personal Tax Break*
Earlier this year, the Center for American Progress analyzed John McCain's tax proposals. The conclusion? McCain's plan is radically more regressive than even that of President Bush, delivering 58% of its benefits to the wealthiest 1% of American taxpayers. McCain's born-again support for the Bush tax cuts has one additional bonus for Mr. Straight Talk: the McCains would save an estimated $373,000 a year.

*Paying Off $225,000 Credit Card Debt - Priceless*
That massive windfall from his own tax plan will come in handy for John McCain. As was reported in June, the McCains were carrying over $225,000 in credit card debt. The American Express card - don't leave your homes without it.

*Charity Begins at Home*
As Harpers documented earlier this year, the McCains are true believers in the old saying that charity begins at home:

Between 2001 and 2006, McCain contributed roughly $950,000 to [their] foundation. That accounted for all of its listed income other than for $100 that came from an anonymous donor. During that same period, the McCain foundation made contributions of roughly $1.6 million. More than $500,000 went to his kids' private schools, most of which was donated when his children were attending those institutions. So McCain apparently received major tax deductions for supporting elite schools attended by his children.

Ironically, the McCain campaign last week blasted Barack Obama for having attended a private school in Hawaii on scholarship. That attack came just weeks after John McCain held an event at his old prep school, Episcopal High, an institution where fees now top $38,000 a year.

*Private Jet Setters*
As the New York Times detailed back in April, John McCain enjoyed the use of his wife's private jet for his campaign, courtesy of election law loopholes he helped craft. Despite the controversy, McCain continued to use Cindy's corporate jet. For her part, Cindy McCain says that even with skyrocketing fuel costs, "in Arizona the only way to get around the state is by small private plane."

*Help on the Homefront*
In these tough economic times, the McCains are able to stretch their household budget. As the AP reported in April, "McCain reported paying $136,572 in wages to household employees in 2007. Aides say the McCains pay for a caretaker for a cabin in Sedona, Ariz., child care for their teenage daughter, and a personal assistant for Cindy McCain."

*Well-Heeled in $520 Shoes*
If clothes make the man, then John McCain has it made. As Huffington Post noted in July, "He has worn a pair of $520 black leather Ferragamo shoes on every recent campaign stop - from a news conference with the Dalai Lama to a supermarket visit in Bethlehem, PA." It is altogether fitting that McCain wore the golden loafers during a golf outing with President George H.W. Bush in which he rode around in cart displaying the sign, "Property of Bush #41. Hands Off."

And so it goes. John McCain proclaims $5 million finally makes you rich. Meanwhile, ABC's Charlie Gibson thinks a $200,000 income makes you middle class. And his colleague Cokie Roberts claims Barack Obama's vacation to his home state of Hawaii was "exotic."

A Simple God fearing Conservative WOMAN is beating the Left. She seems to be enjoying it. She sure is making it look easy. The ONE is running against her not Mac Daddy and she is creaming him. muawhahaha...... I have NEVER been so thrilled!!!!!!!!!!!

Why the Heck was McCain against the GI Bill funding for what he SUPPOSEDLY cares about? He's voted against every bill to increase funding for what he claims to be concerned about. This man talks out of both sides of his mouth. HE HAS NEVER, repeat, NEVER, supported our American Military through his votes for funding. Double talker period. This man is a sham! He is a hoax and liar.

Thank god that GOP is keeping us safe in this part of the world from Fundamental Islamic Terrorists. Obama's muslim apeasing sentiments and his wife's anti-american rants really scares the true americans away from Democrats this year.

I have voted with old Georgie Boy...that is the current retard, idiot of a Prez, Georgie Boy Bushie 90% of the time, I voted against more money and help for the vets, although I cried like a coward chicken during the Vietnam war and wear my fake arse earned stars on my chest because I know that there are a lot of dumb, uneducated, gun toting rednecks that will believe anything I say because they want to blame minority groups for their failures and poor living and moral standards. I voted against universal healthcare, I LOVE lobbyist, as a matter of fact I sleep with them every chance that I get. I don't have much morals, I was able to get rid of that old cripple wife waiting for me when I returned my coward arse back from the war so that I could marry my current clueless, dried up tomato, but rich c$unt! I love spending her money..she has many problems, specifically stealing and drugs....but I was able to successfully sweep that under the rug and the news media knows not to p$iss me off and report any of this crap...they better stay on Obama and continue to give me an my new c$unt, Sarah a free ride! By the way, I can't wait to do Sarah, you know she is an undercover freak who cheats on her husband with his best friend whose wife later divorced him. Well back to the issues, or lack thereof, I love war and look forward to killing another 4,000 or more soldiers in a useless war, just so long as me and my rich cronies...the rethuglican base continues to make millions with the big oil companies. You know something...hmmm...I don't think that most of my redneck base even know what a lobbyist really is! Well, I could care less about clean air, hell$ I voted against that bill every chance I got. Plus Sarah, said that God is in charge of the climate and he is the reason why the Jews keep getting murdered because God has a vendetta against them. You know something I like throwing religion into this politics thing cause religious folks (well the evangelicals - (redneck religion folk) can't seperate the church from the government...Well I am John McCain and I approve this message. Hey isn't that what I am suppose to say...You's didn't give me my memory medicine....I thought you's were going to wait till I became the president to declare me senile so that Sarah could step in....well anyway, I'm signing off now....Bomb, Bomb, Bomb away!!!

Who is obama?
A unknown, stealth candidate with questionable character and conduct.
A guy who sat 20 years in racist church listening to radical anti-american rants.
Guy friends with radicals and anti-social elements.

McCain is shaping up to be worse than Bush. He stands for nothing and constantly changes his views to suit his audience. Who knows, he will probably insist he never said any of the more war stuff. It would not surprise me. He is a fraud and an opportunist. He has used his military bona fides (which are questionable) and presented himself as a hero. I am more afraid of this man than of Bush and Cheney and that's saying a lot. He is the fear card.

Goodbye America!!! The once Great Nation is going down the Drain if this numb nut (McCain) gets in office, what the f#ck is this world coming to, and people will still vote for him, I dont get it America my own people f#cking this country up.
Why?...Why?!?!